9 February 2011

Mexico v Bosnia and Herzogovina

In what must surely be one of the most random of International friendlies in recent memory, Mexico will play Bosnia AND Herzogovina at the same time in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, US of States.

Not the most glamorous first fixture for Mexican of the Day and new national team manager Chepo de la Torre, and quite a novelty playing two teams at once, but one they should at least win as the cycle begins again for el Tri to finally make it past the Quarter final stages of the World Cup.

Most of the Bosnian and Herzogovina squads haven't been allowed into the USA because of various passport issues including Manchester City's new £27m striker Edin Džeko so their 15 man squad includes the kit man and coach driver so I expect Mexico to enjoy 75% possession and win 1-0.

The Mexican squad is still a lopsided bunch, with the average age of the strikers being about 22 and the defense and midfield about 29. The maxim, 'If Javier Aguirre doesn't even want you then you must be bad,' is never truer when applied to poor Luis Pérez, so his inclusion in the squad is an unnerving one, but maybe he's a concession on the part of el Tri as they felt bad for Bosnia and Herzogovina not having their full squad available.

Carlos Vela and Efraín Juárez are still banned from the squad following their interaction with a hooker nicknamed "finger-cuffs" by the squad at a party in Monterrey last season after the national team's win against Colombia.

The goals for the year are clear...win the Gold Cup and the Copa América although the latter competition will have to won with a squad of players who don't shave yet because of silly FIFA rules that forces them to play the under 19's or something weird and only 5 senior players.